Esther McDonald was surprised at how much she enjoys painting, and wants more women to learn a trade. Photo: Erin Hee.
Esther McDonald always knew she was going to do a trade.
She tried everything from mushroom farming to cheesemaking and building before finally finding her feet in painting and decorating.
The 24-year-old from Wodonga, who studies at Wagga TAFE, was recently named runner-up for 2nd Year Apprentice of the Year at the Master Painters Association of Victoria/Tasmania’s 2025 Awards for Excellence.
“I wish there were other role models for women in trades, especially being a mature-age apprentice [over 21],” Mrs McDonald said.
“I was very nervous to pick up a trade because I started at 22 and thought maybe I’ve missed my chance. Everyone that starts is like 15 or 16.
“But here I am, getting signed off at the end of the year at almost 25.”
As a woman and mature-age apprentice, Mrs McDonald had no examples to turn to when starting her training, so she became her own role model.
“When I first signed up to be an apprentice, it was very daunting,” she said. “It’s mostly men in the trade.
“Why is it mostly men? Is it because females can’t do it?
“So when I first started, it was kind of like a shock, like, ‘Oh, it’s not that.’
“Nothing’s wrong. Like, why are more females not in painting and decorating, or another trade?
“We can do it. We can excel in it. We get really good results and feedback.
“I want more females being trained. It’s kind of a shock of how much I liked it.”
Mrs McDonald’s painting and decorating teacher at TAFE NSW Wagga, Dean Gramson, couldn’t be more proud of her for going against the “big smoke”.
“It’s two states. It’s Victoria and Tasmania,” he said.
According to Jobs and Skills Australia, women make up a mere 4 per cent of the painting trades workforce nationally.
Mrs McDonald was the only woman in her painting and decorating class for two years, something she found sad.
“I just want to encourage other women to give it a go,” she said.
“You think I can’t do it? I’m going to want to do it even more.
“We’re all on the same playing field. Even on the job site, men are very respectful.
“You get the odd one or two, but that’s where you’re resilient. You just ignore it and move on. It kind of motivates you even more to do a good job.”
For Mrs McDonald, having a supportive company may be what makes or breaks your passion for a trade.
“Sometimes you don’t dislike the trade, you just might not like the people you’re working with,” she said.
“I definitely think it’s important to find a company that supports you as a female in a trade and understands that there might be things that they’ve got to stick up for you on, or watch out for you.
“You’ve got to love your boss and love the people that you work for.”
Mr Gramson thinks “it’s a shame” that more women are not picking up a painting trade.
“Had a couple of girls, though. It didn’t work out with them at work, and then they dropped the trade and went, which is a shame,” he said.
“I find that girls gravitate to painting and decorating because females are quite often the decorator of the house.
“When I was on the tools, I never spoke to your husband at your house [about the painting], we talked about footy and whatnot. When I get there, I go, ‘Well, what are you thinking?’
“He always goes, ‘You better go and talk to the boss’.
“So girls in this industry just have that natural flair for decoration, and they have those ideas and whatnot.
“This is not bagging the guys. The guys are great too. I find that females have a little bit more attention to detail.”
Mrs McDonald wants other women to just “go for it”.
“If you are hardworking and have a willingness to learn, you might love painting,” she said. “I’ll vouch for painting and decorating 100 per cent.
“The worst that could happen is you don’t like it.
“And guess what? There’s heaps of other trades you could try. I feel like there’s a trade for everyone.”
